8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-7
Checking engine coolant level...................8-7
Changing engine coolant........................8-8
Engine oil.........................................8-8
Checking engine oil level........................8-8
Changing engine oil............................8-9
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-10
4-speed automatic transmission fluid...............8-11
Temperature conditions for checking.............8-11
5-speed automatic transmission fluid...............8-12
Power steering fluid...............................8-13
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-13
Brake fluid....................................8-13
Clutch fluid...................................8-14
Window washer fluid.............................8-14
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-14
Battery..........................................8-15
Jump starting.................................8-16
Drive belts.......................................8-17Spark plugs......................................8-17
Replacing spark plugs.........................8-17
Air cleaner.......................................8-18
In-cabin microfilter.............................8-18
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-21
Cleaning.....................................8-21
Replacing....................................8-21
Parking brake and brake pedal.....................8-22
Checking parking brake........................8-22
Checking brake pedal..........................8-22
Brake booster.................................8-23
Fuses...........................................8-23
Engine compartment...........................8-23
Passenger compartment.......................8-25
Keyfob battery replacement........................8-26
Lights...........................................8-27
Headlights....................................8-27
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-28
Wheels and tires.................................8-33
Tire pressure..................................8-33
Tire labeling...................................8-36
Types of tires..................................8-39
Tire chains....................................8-39
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-40
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The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 75.8 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil *8
Drain and Refill
With oil filter change 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0• API Certification Mark *2 *3
•API grade SL, Energy Conserving *2 *3
• ILSAC grade GF-III*2 *3 Without oil filter change 3-7/8 qt 3-1/4 qt 3.7
Cooling system
With reservoir 8-5/8 qt 7-1/4 qt 8.250% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Anti-freeze Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
Manual transmission gear oil 4-7/8 pt 4 pt 2.3 Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid HQ Multi 75W-85 or equivalent
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section. 4 SpeedGenuine Nissan Matic D ATF (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Canada NISSAN Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid.*4
5 SpeedGenuine Nissan Matic K ATF *5
Power steering fluid (PSF)Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*9
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*6 or equivalent DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease———NLGINo.2(Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant— — — HFC-134a (R-134a)*7
Air conditioning system lubricants— — — NISSAN A/C System Lubricant Type DH-PS or equivalent*7
Windshield washer fluid— — — Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-freeze or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Fuel recommendation.”
*2: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*3: For further details, see “Recommended SAE engine oil viscosity.”
*4: Dexron™ III/Mercon™ or equivalent may also be used. Outside the Continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealership for more information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended
brand(s) of Dexron™ III/Mercon™ Automatic Transmission Fluid.
*5: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine Nissan Matic K ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle warranty.
*6: Available in mainland USA through your NISSAN dealer.
*7: For further details, see “Air conditioner specification label.”
*8: For further details, see “Changing engine oil.”
*9: For Canada, NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) , Dexron™ III/Mercon™, or equivalent ATF may also be used.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
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ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose engine oil with the cor-
rect quality and viscosity to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. NISSAN recom-
mends the use of a low friction oil (energy con-
serving oil) in order to improve fuel economy and
conserve energy. Oils which do not have the
specified quality label should not be used as they
could cause engine damage.
Only those engine oils with the American Petro-
leum Institute (API) CERTIFICATION MARK onthe front of the container should be used. This
type of oil supersedes the existing API SG, SH, or
SJ and Energy Conserving II categories.
If you cannot find engine oil with the API CERTI-
FICATION MARK, use API grade SL Energy
Conserving oil. An oil with a single designation
SL, or in combination with other categories (for
example, SL/CF) may also be used if one with the
API CERTIFICATION MARK cannot be found. An
ILSAC grade GF-III oil can also be used.
NISSAN recommends mineral based oils. These
oils must, however, meet the API quality and SAE
viscosity ratings specified for your vehicle.
Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. The chart “Rec-
ommended SAE viscosity number” shows the
recommended oil viscosities for the expected
ambient temperatures. Choosing an oil viscosity
other than that recommended could cause seri-
ous engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When re-
placing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals”.
WTI0082
Technical and consumer information9-5
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
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Outside mirrors...............3-17
Vanity mirror.................3-16
Multi-remote control system (See remote
keyless entry system)...............3-5
N
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS).................2-16, 3-2, 5-5
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-3
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil.............8-9
Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine oil level..........8-8
Engine oil...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.......2-10
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirror control.............3-17
Outside mirrors.................3-17
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats...........6-9
Owner’s manual order form..........9-20
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-20P
Parking
Parking brake check............8-22
Parking brake operation..........5-12
Parking/parking on hills...........5-16
Personal lights.................2-40
Power
Power door locks...............3-4
Power outlet.................2-27
Power rear windows............2-35
Power steering fluid.............8-13
Power steering system...........5-17
Power windows...............2-34
Rear power windows............2-35
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Precautions on child restraints.......1-31
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-23
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-9
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting...................6-8
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player.....4-26
Car phone or CB radio...........4-32
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-29
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-31
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test.....................9-19
Rear power windows..............2-35Rear seat.....................1-6
Rear sun shade.................2-38
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch......................2-18
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. . .9-9
Remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-19
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Child seat belts...............1-31
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-19
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Front power seat adjustment........1-4
Seat belt
Child safety.................1-25
Infants and small children.........1-26
Injured Person................1-26
Larger children...............1-26
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-23
Pregnant women..............1-26
Seat belt extenders.............1-30
Seat belt maintenance...........1-30
Seat belts..................1-23
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-29
Three-point type with retractor.......1-27
Seat belt warning light.............2-11
Seatback pockets................2-28
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Automatic drive positioner.........3-19
10-4
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10/20/03Ðarosenma
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Front seats..................1-2
Heated seats................2-24
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Rear seat...................1-6
Security system (Nissan vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start.........2-16, 3-2, 5-5
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-23
Service manual order form...........9-20
Servicing air conditioner............4-18
Shift lock release................5-10
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-8
Manual transmission............5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-29
Spark plug replacement............8-17
Speedometer...................2-4
SRS warning label...............1-21
Starting
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Jump starting.................6-6
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting.................6-8
Starting the engine..............5-6
Steering
Heated steering wheel...........2-25
Power steering fluid.............8-13
Power steering system...........5-17
Steering wheel audio control switch......4-31
Stop light....................8-28
Storage.....................2-28
Sun visors....................3-16
Sunglasses case................2-29
Sunglasses holder...............2-29
Sunroof.....................2-36
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-21, 2-11Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-21
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-9
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-9
Switch
Autolight switch...............2-20
Automatic power window switch.....2-35
Fog light switch...............2-23
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-23
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-19
Ignition switch................5-4
Power door lock switch...........3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-18
Traction control system (TCS) off
switch....................2-26
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch....................2-26
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-17
T
Tachometer....................2-5
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.......2-10
Theft (Nissan vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start..............2-16, 3-2, 5-5
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-42Tire chains..................8-39
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-33
Tire rotation.................8-40
Types of tires................8-39
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-17
Wheels and tires..............8-33
Wheel/tire size................9-8
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-39
Towing
Flat towing..................9-17
Tow truck towing..............6-10
Towing load/specification chart......9-15
Trailer towing................9-13
Traction control system (TCS) off switch . . .2-26
Transceiver
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.....2-42
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-11
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-11
Selector lever lock release.........5-10
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country).................9-9
Trip odometer...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat.......1-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever...........3-10
Trunk light....................2-41
Turn signal switch (See headlight and
turn signal switch)............2-19, 2-22
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-17
10-5
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
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